Working on a weight loss goal? Well, before you go ahead with the diet and exercise routine you have in mind, it’s best to bust some myths associated with weight loss so that you have a clear and realistic goal and avoid harmful mistakes. Here are 6 weight loss myths busted:
Myth 1: You Have to Stay Hungry in Order to Lose Weight
Losing weight doesn’t mean that you have to stay hungry. If you eat less than the recommended amount of food, your metabolism will definitely slow down and your body will lose the water and muscle weight rather than fat because slow metabolism encourages fat storage. Thus, more important than how much you eat is what you eat. You can stay full with a healthy well-planned diet and once in a while, you can even have the foods you love.
Myth 2: You Will Lose More Weight with a Fat-Free Diet
As a matter of fact, your daily dietary requirements include fats for maintaining proper health of joints, skin and nervous system along with providing energy to your body. Now, the lesser known fact is that there are 2 types of fats – the good fats (mainly Omega-3 fats, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats) and the bad fats (trans fats and saturated fats). So, what you need to cut down in your diet is the bad fats which come from sources like butter, cheese, pork, beef, etc. You can fulfill your daily fat needs from fish, olive oil, walnuts and flaxseeds.
Myth 3: Avoid Carbohydrates at Any Cost
Carbohydrates are required in moderate amount by the body. Simple carbs like sugar should be avoided when on a weight-loss diet and even in general. However, complex carbs like whole grains are essential for the body due to the nutrients they contain. Our body takes time in breaking down and burning the complex carbs which helps burn more calories. The only thing to be kept in mind is that the serving of carbohydrates to be taken in a day should be watched.
Myth 4: Having Meat Is the Only Way to Satisfy Daily Protein Requirement
Though meat is a really good source of protein, yet it is not the only way you can meet your protein requirements for the day. A good number of other sources like egg whites, spinach, Greek yogurt, tofu, broccoli and brussels sprouts are also good sources of proteins which if taken in the recommended amount through the day, will be able to meet the protein requirements while cutting down the calorie intake considerably.
Myth 5: A Good Workout Requires 30 Consecutive Minutes of Exercise
Most adults stick to the routine of 30 minutes of exercise, 4 times a week. However, it’s not that this exercise has to be a consecutive thirty minutes to be more effective. It can be done in two 15-minute parts or whichever way you like and it will have the same effect.
Myth 6: It’s Easier for Vegans and Vegetarians to Lose Weight than Carnivores
In general, vegans and vegetarians have lesser calories and fats in their diets as compared to carnivores. But this doesn’t mean that they cannot make unhealthy food choices that are high in carbs and bad fats. Processed food, whether taken in by vegetarians or anyone else tends to be harmful. So, the best way, whether you are a vegan, vegetarian or carnivore is to watch what you eat and make wise choices and all can achieve the same results.
